Endocrine Abstracts

Diabetes is a chronic condition that is known to cause condition specific distress. Irish guidelines advise clinicians should be able to recognise distress and provide pathways for management. We audited the piloting of a Type 1 Diabetes Consultation Tool (T1C) which includes an assessment of diabetes distress (DDS) levels in the young adult clinic in St Vincent’s University Hospital, from January 2024 to March 2025 (n = 124). The diabetes distress score (DDS2) section of the T1c is a two part question, which is scored out of 6, with 1 being low distress and 6 being high distress. This section was completed independently by the patients. 73 were female and 50 were male. 122 had type one diabetes. 45 had pumps. The mean DDS was 2.8. 30% had high distress (DDS >/= 3.5, n = 27), in keeping with reporting from other centres. Elevated HbA1c was found to be correlated with higher DDS (P = <.001) 79 attenders had finished or had accepted a referral to DAFNE. Where elevated DDS was identified the main approach was to arrange a close follow up with the MDT (n =10). Four patients were reviewed by the consultant at time of appointment. Other interventions included referral to: community mental health services (n = 5), general mental health services (n = 4) and eating disorder services (n =1). One was referred to the pump start pathway. Referral to mental health supports was common but underused, indicating a role for a diabetes specific psychology service.